Self Evaluation

Self-evaluation is one of the most overlooked forms of explicit evaluation. Ideally and logically, this should precede all other forms of the evaluation of teaching effectiveness.

For professional educators, the goal is always the same: monitor and adjust instruction to increase the learning of all students. Conscientious faculty members subject their teaching strategies, instructional techniques and style to their own critical evaluation on an almost constant basis. This evaluation often does not have a formal structure but even a simple checklist can help to focus ideas.

Those faculty who are most interested in doing their best are the ones who tend to take self-evaluation most seriously and may share their critiques and seek advice from colleagues on how to improve the effectiveness of their teaching.

Self-evaluation of teaching can range from personal reflection to formal assessment intended for promotion, tenure, or salary committees. The results of self-evaluation frequently feed into discussion with Department Chairs at the time of the annual reviews.

Self-evaluation can assist you to:

improve the educational experiences you provide for your students

identify the professional education you need to further develop your capacity to teach well

prepare for your performance review with your supervisor

assess your readiness to apply for promotion and tenure

The following tools can help you collect your thoughts and summarize your ideas about teaching. It can be useful in examining your own teaching as well as helping clarify the teaching views of other people.